What is an IT consultant?

IT consultants always come into play when tasks become too complex for the in-house IT department. This can be the case, for example, when implementing new software, but also in the event of cyber attacks.

Who goes into the job profile here, but also on the selection of suitable IT consultants and implementation partners in more detail.

What does an IT consultant do? An IT consultant analyses the IT infrastructure of his customers. In doing so, weak points are identified and improvements are suggested. IT consultants also come into play when implementing new software solutions and the associated training of internal employees. Depending on their role within the consulting firm, they are called junior or senior consultants.

A short definition

The term IT consultant is derived from the English verb “to consult”, i.e. to consult or even advise someone. As a result, the term is usually synonymous with the German name IT consultant used.

With this, individuals can Freelancers or even agencies be meant by a larger team of experts. There are both generalists and specialists among IT consultants. These experts focus on specific tasks related to the company's own IT infrastructure, such as cyber attacks.

The basis for being able to work as an IT consultant is usually a computer science degree, but at least in Germany, the Job title not legally protected.

The importance of IT consulting is growing

Comprehensive IT and security advice is becoming increasingly important, not only due to increasing hacker attacks. Because globalization and global competition are also forcing companies to constantly improve their IT and software solutions and make them more efficient.

Between 2016 and 2021, the IT consultancy therefore recorded a average annual industry growth of 7.8 percent. Also due to the pandemic, the demand for good IT consultants grew again. After all, many companies and their IT systems were neither equipped for home offices nor for video conferences, so IT consultants did their part to overcome the crisis.

What does an IT consultant do?

The tasks of IT consultants are as varied as the IT infrastructure itself. All-rounders should be familiar with hardware as well as powerful software solutions, such as customer management.

Cybersecurity issues are also part of the core competencies of many consulting agencies and freelancers. In the following, we list some key areas of activity of IT consultants.

• Customer advice in the area of software and hardware
• Analysis and optimization of existing IT
• Development and presentation of new, improved system solutions
• Implementation of new software, starting with its selection through to installation and initial test runs
• Training internal employees on the new computers or the new software solution
• Detecting security gaps in the company's own IT department
• Neutralizing hacker attacks

The sheer number of activities alone explains why many freelancers specialize in a specific task or software. Companies such as MDSYSTEC, on the other hand, have a large team with various expertise and can therefore offer comprehensive solutions for the company's own IT infrastructure.

MDSYSTEC in particular is able to provide a All-round worry-free package to put together for companies.

Professional qualifications

As described, the term IT consultant is not protected in Germany. However, good IT consultants usually have a degree in computer science and relevant experience in the area of specific software applications.

Still others have specialized in the topic of cybersecurity, which is becoming increasingly important. After all, hacker attacks are increasing and, in the worst case, can paralyze entire companies.

After all, in addition to public institutions, the private sector has also been attacked for a long time. IT consultants must therefore also show solid resilience against stress.

Last but not least, rhetorical and didactic skills are essential for the profession of an IT consultant. This is because he must get companies excited about the system solutions he has devised and later train internal employees on the hardware and/or software.

Last but not least, language skills are essential. Because international customers in particular communicate exclusively in English. Therefore, language skills should be perfect in general as well as in terms of technical terms.

Digitalization everywhere you look

The Federal Agency for Civic Education assumes that digitization has long since affected all areas of life. Starting with video calling via apps that make our lives easier Towards Deutschlandticket, that only digitally issued will.

Experts and economic historians have therefore been talking about a digital revolution for a long time — contrary to the industrial one. This even includes the healthcare sector, where digital sick reports and prescriptions are now replacing the paper form.

This process began at the end of the 20th century, when the first digital storage media came onto the market and gradually replaced mechanical and analog technology. However, it was a long way from there to becoming a certified IT consultant.

Achieve success without studying?

As described, IT consultant is not a protected job title and IT consultants do not necessarily have to have a degree. The renowned Wirtschaftswoche has already dedicated an entire article to prominent and very successful personalities who dropped out of their studies.

Computer geniuses without degrees therefore include:

• Mark Zuckerberg, who began studying computer science and psychology in 2002, but later achieved worldwide admiration and a huge fortune with Facebook
• Bill Gates, who is considered a computer genius and became one of the wealthiest people in the world thanks to Microsoft

or even:

• Steve Jobs, the legendary Apple founder who died in 2011

In fact, even in the area of IT consulting and software development, practical experience and industry knowledge can sometimes be more important than a diploma. The ability to inspire others is also essential when advising customers.

This is how every IT consultant would do well Not just the boardroom to get excited about the proposed IT solution or software application. In addition, the staffs from that to persuadethat the system changeover makes work processes easier and is therefore the right way to go.

Only then can you take the next step, namely implementation.

A first conclusion:

Of course, it makes sense for companies to select a consultant with professional experience or references. After all, board members and managing directors from outside the industry sometimes find it difficult to assess the quality of external service providers. Recommendations are therefore worth money.

But even newcomers to the industry often deserve an opportunity.

IT consultants, in turn, should have a high willingness to travel, a certain mental and physical resilience, and language skills. In addition, good IT consultants must be able to familiarise themselves with the specific needs of a wide range of industries.

This is because internal IT systems and software solutions, for example for customer management, often have to be closely adapted to the specific requirements of a company. These requirements, in turn, can be specific to a wide variety of industries.

What is a certified IT consultant?

Since IT consultants, IT testers and cybersecurity experts perform important tasks in business as well as in the public sector, there are — in addition to traditional studies — certifications from educational academies or the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

In addition to subject-specific requirements, communication skills are also important. After all, difficult issues, especially in the IT sector, must be explained in a generally understandable way. Last but not least, a certain seriousness in appearance is mandatory. This is because IT consultants often act as an interface between managers or deal with the CEOs of globally active companies during contract negotiations.

Before the actual IT consulting starts

The contracting companies can also do their part to make IT consulting a success. Because the priority Consulting objectives and requests for new hardware or software must be clearly defined and articulated.

A small analog or digital cheat sheet, which lists questions as well as problems of the current IT solution, is therefore recommended. It can also be useful to select German-speaking IT consultants from the outset who do not exceed a certain geographical distance from the contracting company.

After all, the introduction of new hardware or software is usually linked to training and on-site appointments. However, these are also declining in the consulting sector and fell to around 20 percent during the pandemic. For comparison: Before Corona, 80 percent of consultations took place in the contracting companies.

Nevertheless, on-site appointments or even online training, for example as part of the introduction of new software, are an indispensable tool. If your own employees do not speak English, IT consultants from overseas therefore make little sense.

Your IT consultant from Mitterskirchen introduces himself

It is also important that IT consultants can offer tailor-made solutions that adapt to a wide range of industries. MDSYSTEC, for example, not only has proven cloud solutions in its portfolio, but can also own cloud services provide. This is based on the insight that many customers are increasingly disappointed by major providers.

In the area of cybersecurity The complete IT infrastructure of customers is analyzed using the latest technologies. Risks discovered are resolved promptly and in consultation with the company, so that from now on, there is the best possible protection against potential threats.

In addition to cyber security activities, MDSYSTEC can also offer managed services for an overworked IT department or even an all-inclusive IT solution. The team is happy to advise you.